Coworkers stabbing you in the back?

*Sage Ninja* · 05-19-2010, 02:16 PM

I read this article this morning and I found it intersting on how to spot and deal with a coworker out to get you.:

http://career-advice.comcast.monster...c_n=comcast800

Spoiler:

We all like to think of our coworkers as friends, but what happens when you become the target of a coworker's dirty politics? Here are some strategies that can help you keep the peace without losing your edge, shared by fellow soldiers on the office wars' front lines.

Take Precautions

It is wise to have some good measures in place to protect yourself if you ever fall under a colleague's attack.

"Always have backup for everything you've done in case a coworker tries to place blame on you," says Aubyn Peterson, an administrative assistant for the Miss USA Pageant. For instance, save all emails with pertinent ideas you contributed and work you've done. "This way, you can be prepared to answer any difficult questions from your boss confidently, and it won't just be your word against somebody else's," she says. "You'll have written proof."

It's also important to remember the old adage about squeaky wheels getting the grease. "If you feel that a coworker is trying to oust you out of a well-deserved promotion, then do your job exceedingly well and make some noise," says Peterson. "Make sure your boss notices your excellent performance, and make doubly sure that your boss knows that you want to be promoted."

Rise Above the Drama of Coworker Sabotage

If you can, don't let your coworker's anger or frustration get to you. You don't have to play a major role in somebody else's drama, and your coworker's hostility doesn't have to undermine your positive self-image or job performance.

"My first instincts are to resort to a voodoo doll, a stapler or a tube of Super Glue, but I fight those urges and try to remain calm and peaceful," says Richard Ogawa, a sales and special events assistant for Broadway On and Off, a group ticket sales organization.

"I just avoid the situation," Ogawa says. "I don't give the person the time of day. I don't get upset. I'm not mean, and I try to feel sorry for him for being in a state of mind that triggers him to create drama to make himself feel better."

Laugh, If Possible

Try to find the humor, if any, in the situation. Ogawa has a few tricks he plays on himself to generate a little comic relief and defuse the tension. For instance, "whenever you want to yell ‘idiot,' yell ‘you superstar' inside," Ogawa suggests.

Try to Communicate

There are times, though, when avoidance and humor won't work, and you have no choice but to address the situation. "If it comes down to having to confront the coworker, try and approach the situation with logic, not emotion," says Peterson, who stresses that it is important for you to honestly make an effort to communicate with your coworker and try to see where he is coming from.

I thought this made some good points, it also sheds some light on the ruthlessness of the office place. I'm still in college and work at a Wal-Mart, and even though I've come across some self serving coworkers, I've yet to encounter the cut throat manipulations of coworkers in a office setting where the stakes are higher.
Has anyone ever come across a sabotaging-coworker, out to make you look bad? How did you deal with that person?

**Machias Banshee** · 05-19-2010, 09:02 PM

I dealt with that several times back when I was working the gas station. They would mess with my register, or leave their trash and boxes behind. We had some that stole from the safe.

The plus I had was that I was very open with my managers. We talked every day about Everything, from to do lists to things with the upper management. Ironically, the people tried SO hard to cause me trouble, that they would get themselves written up or found themselves looking for a new job. That's the thing with these people. They push so hard to put you into a bad light, that they fall right into it themselves..

SassyGal · 05-19-2010, 09:25 PM

I have worked in many call centres and have seen the worst of the worst throw each other under the bus all in the name of making an extra dollar or two an hour. It can be quite entertaining to watch since I have managed to miss most of the mud slinging (knock on wood).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Machias Banshee

Ironically, the people tried SO hard to cause me trouble, that they would get themselves written up or found themselves looking for a new job. That's the thing with these people. They push so hard to put you into a bad light, that they fall right into it themselves..

I have seen this too! It's funny to see people try so hard to pull people down that they get tangled in their own crap and are out on their ass in the end!

NameGoesHere1066 · 05-20-2010, 03:44 PM

my mother gave up a job once because of a guy trying to make her look bad in the office. She was in a position where she was above him and had the authority to direct him in his duties and he would deleberately screw up or undermine her to make her look bad. My mom was in those positions where, if your workers screw up, it's your screw up. It got so bad that she decided to resign and the guy was given her position.

My mom is not the type of person to take sh** but it was her first time in her feild and she was niave on how to deal with that kind of behavior. Before that she had only worked in factories doing peice work and retail positions.

I think there should be some kind of college course offered on how to deal with office politics and such.

*Warhorse* · 05-20-2010, 05:27 PM

I had to deal with a man that was originally hired by the company to get us up to ISO standards (I hope some of you are familiar with this BS) When he first came in, he seemed likable, but he slowly started to talk sh!t about us to the boss's ( the company is owned by a husband and his wife and his brother) This guy mostly kissed the ass of the wife, and I could tell in her demeanor, that she was falling for his lies towards me, the current supervisor and head engineer. This guy used his cancer stricken wife to get the pitty from the boss's wife, this is how pathetic this dude is. He even managed to go into the computer systems, change some blueprints and sabotage the brother, created a blood bath between the brothers and got him exiled out of the company. He started to work on me, when I got smart and started to record our confrontations on a voice recorder and on my smart phone. Once I got enough crap, I bypassed the wife and went right to the head honcho. Thank goodness, the two face, two timing back stabbing ass-hole is gone, and things have gotten back to normal. But it's amazing on how one guy can completely screw up a company with his lies and deceit. The guy wanted to be head engineer, and he didn't even know what 1/8 of an inch was! I know the big guy gave his wife a stern talking to, about falling for the guy's BS, and she should have been more wiser. I'm still mad at her, but feel sorry for her at the same time. Why do we feel such complex feelings like this?

BoggleKng · 05-20-2010, 07:35 PM

I lost my last job due to the sly tactics of a co-worker. The guy was up for promotion anyways and we all knew he was going to get it but since I worked in the same office as him as I was only there 8 months, he decided to accuse me of something and I got let go, no questions asked. The funniest thing was that we were Facebook friends and he deleted me right after I got fired. At least, I still can collect from it.. but I had to fight that battle with unemployment.. still, they covered my back pay.. either way, it sucks..

05-19-2010, 02:16 PM	#1
Sage Ninja Band of the Hawk Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 3,926	Coworkers stabbing you in the back? I read this article this morning and I found it intersting on how to spot and deal with a coworker out to get you.: http://career-advice.comcast.monster...c_n=comcast800 Spoiler: We all like to think of our coworkers as friends, but what happens when you become the target of a coworker's dirty politics? Here are some strategies that can help you keep the peace without losing your edge, shared by fellow soldiers on the office wars' front lines. Take Precautions It is wise to have some good measures in place to protect yourself if you ever fall under a colleague's attack. "Always have backup for everything you've done in case a coworker tries to place blame on you," says Aubyn Peterson, an administrative assistant for the Miss USA Pageant. For instance, save all emails with pertinent ideas you contributed and work you've done. "This way, you can be prepared to answer any difficult questions from your boss confidently, and it won't just be your word against somebody else's," she says. "You'll have written proof." It's also important to remember the old adage about squeaky wheels getting the grease. "If you feel that a coworker is trying to oust you out of a well-deserved promotion, then do your job exceedingly well and make some noise," says Peterson. "Make sure your boss notices your excellent performance, and make doubly sure that your boss knows that you want to be promoted." Rise Above the Drama of Coworker Sabotage If you can, don't let your coworker's anger or frustration get to you. You don't have to play a major role in somebody else's drama, and your coworker's hostility doesn't have to undermine your positive self-image or job performance. "My first instincts are to resort to a voodoo doll, a stapler or a tube of Super Glue, but I fight those urges and try to remain calm and peaceful," says Richard Ogawa, a sales and special events assistant for Broadway On and Off, a group ticket sales organization. "I just avoid the situation," Ogawa says. "I don't give the person the time of day. I don't get upset. I'm not mean, and I try to feel sorry for him for being in a state of mind that triggers him to create drama to make himself feel better." Laugh, If Possible Try to find the humor, if any, in the situation. Ogawa has a few tricks he plays on himself to generate a little comic relief and defuse the tension. For instance, "whenever you want to yell ‘idiot,' yell ‘you superstar' inside," Ogawa suggests. Try to Communicate There are times, though, when avoidance and humor won't work, and you have no choice but to address the situation. "If it comes down to having to confront the coworker, try and approach the situation with logic, not emotion," says Peterson, who stresses that it is important for you to honestly make an effort to communicate with your coworker and try to see where he is coming from. I thought this made some good points, it also sheds some light on the ruthlessness of the office place. I'm still in college and work at a Wal-Mart, and even though I've come across some self serving coworkers, I've yet to encounter the cut throat manipulations of coworkers in a office setting where the stakes are higher. Has anyone ever come across a sabotaging-coworker, out to make you look bad? How did you deal with that person? __________________ Cassandra: You won't fight me, but will you fight--for him! Cassandra's Revenge ~Tangled the Series ________________________________ http://frankviola.org/2012/01/30/godsviewofawoman/ _______________________________ http://nox-artemis.tumblr.com/post/4...k-and-feminism

05-20-2010, 03:44 PM	#4
NameGoesHere1066 Stone Warrior Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: at home LOL Posts: 957	my mother gave up a job once because of a guy trying to make her look bad in the office. She was in a position where she was above him and had the authority to direct him in his duties and he would deleberately screw up or undermine her to make her look bad. My mom was in those positions where, if your workers screw up, it's your screw up. It got so bad that she decided to resign and the guy was given her position. My mom is not the type of person to take sh** but it was her first time in her feild and she was niave on how to deal with that kind of behavior. Before that she had only worked in factories doing peice work and retail positions. I think there should be some kind of college course offered on how to deal with office politics and such. __________________ ]

05-20-2010, 07:35 PM	#6
BoggleKng Mad Scientist Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 1,224	I lost my last job due to the sly tactics of a co-worker. The guy was up for promotion anyways and we all knew he was going to get it but since I worked in the same office as him as I was only there 8 months, he decided to accuse me of something and I got let go, no questions asked. The funniest thing was that we were Facebook friends and he deleted me right after I got fired. At least, I still can collect from it.. but I had to fight that battle with unemployment.. still, they covered my back pay.. either way, it sucks.. __________________ You guys mind telling me what you're doing to my little green pal over there, hm? -Casey Jones, TMNT movie...

05-19-2010, 09:02 PM	#2
Machias Banshee Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 17,163	I dealt with that several times back when I was working the gas station. They would mess with my register, or leave their trash and boxes behind. We had some that stole from the safe. The plus I had was that I was very open with my managers. We talked every day about Everything, from to do lists to things with the upper management. Ironically, the people tried SO hard to cause me trouble, that they would get themselves written up or found themselves looking for a new job. That's the thing with these people. They push so hard to put you into a bad light, that they fall right into it themselves..

05-20-2010, 05:27 PM	#5
Warhorse Emperor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 5,544	I had to deal with a man that was originally hired by the company to get us up to ISO standards (I hope some of you are familiar with this BS) When he first came in, he seemed likable, but he slowly started to talk sh!t about us to the boss's ( the company is owned by a husband and his wife and his brother) This guy mostly kissed the ass of the wife, and I could tell in her demeanor, that she was falling for his lies towards me, the current supervisor and head engineer. This guy used his cancer stricken wife to get the pitty from the boss's wife, this is how pathetic this dude is. He even managed to go into the computer systems, change some blueprints and sabotage the brother, created a blood bath between the brothers and got him exiled out of the company. He started to work on me, when I got smart and started to record our confrontations on a voice recorder and on my smart phone. Once I got enough crap, I bypassed the wife and went right to the head honcho. Thank goodness, the two face, two timing back stabbing ass-hole is gone, and things have gotten back to normal. But it's amazing on how one guy can completely screw up a company with his lies and deceit. The guy wanted to be head engineer, and he didn't even know what 1/8 of an inch was! I know the big guy gave his wife a stern talking to, about falling for the guy's BS, and she should have been more wiser. I'm still mad at her, but feel sorry for her at the same time. Why do we feel such complex feelings like this?